Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Including means to relatively position plural work parts
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-28
2004-03-09
Watson, Robert C. (Department: 3723)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Including means to relatively position plural work parts
C029S238000, C029S239000, C029S266000, C269S021000, C269S043000, C269S037000, C254S013000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06701596
ABSTRACT:
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in German Application No. 101 41 153.7 of Aug. 17, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a clamping and spreading device for the relative movement of two workpieces which have surfaces lying essentially parallel to a common plane, comprising a first holder, on which the first workpiece can be fixed, and a second holder, on which the second workpiece can be fixed, wherein the two holders are movable relative to one another.
Such a device is sold, for example, under the name VERIFIX by the Josef Bohle Stiftung & Co. KG, Haan, Germany. Furthermore, such a device is known by the name “Rigid Seaming Vacuum Pads” from Pinske Edge, Plato, Minn., USA.
The object underlying the invention is to improve a clamping and spreading device specified at the outset in such a manner that this can be used in a simple manner comfortable for the operator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention in that the first holder and the second holder are connected to one another via a guiding device so as to be displaceable and that the guiding device comprises an actuating element which is not only mounted on the first holder so as to be movable but is also mounted on the second holder so as to be movable and via which a relative movement of the two holders can be actuated.
Due to the fact that the two holders are connected to one another via the guiding device and, in addition, via the actuating element of the guiding device which is, in particular, of a rigid design, a relative movement between the two holders and, therefore, between respective fixed workpieces may be carried out in a concerted and simple manner in order to bring about, in particular, a clamping movement or a spreading movement. A good stability and rigidity of the device is achieved by the coupling of the two holders via the guiding device so that, in particular, any tilting of the two workpieces relative to one another can be prevented to a large extent.
A large path of displacement of the two holders relative to one another may be brought about via the movable mounting of the actuating element not only on the first holder but also on the second holder without the outer dimensions needing to be increased significantly as a result.
In this respect, it is provided, in particular, for the actuating element to be mounted on the first holder so as to be rotatable or rotatably displaceable relative to it. A corresponding moment may be exerted as a result of rotation in order to be able to act on the two holders with a force relative to one another in order to be able to carry out a clamping procedure or a spreading procedure as a result.
Furthermore, it is provided for the actuating element to be mounted on the second holder so as to be rotatably displaceable relative to it. The second holder is then displaced relative to the actuating element via a rotation of the actuating element and, therefore, the two holders may be displaced relative to one another. If the actuating element is also held on the first holder so as to be rotatably displaceable, a translational movement not only of the first holder but also of the second holder takes place during a rotation of the actuating element. If the actuating element is mounted so as to only be rotatable with respect to the first holder, no translational movement takes place in relation to it.
As a result of rotary actuation of the actuating element, the second holder may be favorably moved towards the first holder or away from the first holder depending on the direction of rotation. In this respect, it may also be provided for the first holder to itself move in a translational manner with respect to the actuating element.
It is particularly advantageous when the distance between the two holders can be adjusted infinitely via the actuating element in order to thus be able to set any optional distance and in order to facilitate constant action with a force during a clamping movement or spreading movement.
Furthermore, it is favorable when a specific distance between the two holders is determined via a specific position of the actuating element. As a result, a specific position need not be maintained by the actuating element being acted upon from outside with a force but rather a set distance between the two holders also remains fixed without any external action with a force.
In one embodiment which can be used in a simple manner, the actuating element comprises a spindle which is, in particular, of a rigid design and extends between the two holders.
In this respect, the spindle is, in particular, rotatably mounted so as to be non-translational with respect to the first holder. It is then sufficient to provide only one rotary sliding bearing, for example, via threads engaging in one another and, in particular, no oppositely directed threads need be provided in order to bring about a relative movement of the two holders via a rotation of the spindle.
In an alternative embodiment, the actuating element comprises a sleeve which is arranged so as to be rotatable on one holder or between the two holders and in relation to which at least one holder is displaceable. Such a sleeve may also be arranged between the holders in order to obtain a particularly space-saving design. As for the rest, such a device may also be designed with great symmetry, i.e. the actuating element may be arranged in a plane of symmetry in order to minimize any tilting moment of the entire device.
In this respect, it is particularly provided for the holder or holders, with respect to which the sleeve is arranged so as to be rotatable, to have a respective, non-rotatable spindle for engaging the sleeve. A relative displacement of the holders towards one another or away from one another may then be achieved via actuation and, in particular, rotation of the sleeve as a result of the combination spindle/sleeve and with formation of a rotary sliding bearing, in particular, via threads engaging in one another.
The actuating element is advantageously provided with at least one threaded section which engages in a corresponding threaded section of an associated holder for the displaceable guidance of this holder. As a result, a rotary sliding bearing may be formed in a technically simple manner and so a rotary movement of the actuating element can be converted into a translational movement, wherein a clamping force or spreading force can be exerted on workpieces via torque on the actuating element.
In this respect, at least the second holder is favorably provided with an internal thread for engaging in an external thread of the actuating element in order to be able to displace the second holder in relation to the first holder by forming a corresponding rotary sliding bearing. In this respect, it may be provided for the first holder to also be provided with a rotary sliding bearing in order to be able to displace not only the first holder but also the second holder in relation to it in a translational manner during rotation of the actuating element.
It is particularly advantageous when the actuating element is provided with a handle. Such a handle, such as, for example, a wooden handle which sits well in the hand, may be grasped by an operator with one hand so that the operator can get a good grip on it and thus can exert a high torque on the actuating element and, therefore, can exert a correspondingly high clamping force or spreading force on workpieces.
In a variation of one embodiment, the handle is arranged at one end of the actuating element outside an intermediate area between the two holders so that unhindered engagement on the handle is possible.
In an alternative embodiment, the handle is arranged in the intermediate area between the two holders. As a result, the outer dimensions of the device are minimized and, in addition, a symmetric construction may be achieved, by means of which tilting moments of the device are, for exampl
Kloepfer Gerhard
Philipp Karl
Bessey & Sohn GmbH & Co.
Lipsitz Barry R.
McAllister Douglas M.
Watson Robert C.
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